Windsor Mill man charged with killing girlfriend in 2010

Body of Cherice Ragins never recovered, police say

A Windsor Mill man has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend, who was reported missing in 2010, Baltimore County police said. Police said Travis Eugene Elleby, 30, was indicted on first-degree murder charges and is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center. Elleby is charged with the murder of Cherice Ragins, 24, who was last seen on Feb. 19, 2010. Police said Ragins left her home in the 3600 block of North Rogers Avenue to go to Elleby’s home in the 2500 block of Cheshaire Drive.

A Windsor Mill man has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend, who was reported missing in 2010, Baltimore County police said.

Police said Travis Eugene Elleby, 30, was indicted on first-degree murder charges and is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

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Elleby is charged with the murder of Cherice Ragins, 24, who was last seen on Feb. 19, 2010. Police said Ragins left her home in the 3600 block of North Rogers Avenue to go to Elleby’s home in the 2500 block of Cheshaire Drive.

Ragin’s mother reported her missing on Feb. 24, 2010, after she did not return home or contact her.

Investigators believe that Elleby killed Ragins and disposed of her body, which has never been recovered.

"Detectives did a thorough investigation over the years and determined her boyfriend murdered her and discarded her body somewhere," Baltimore County police Cpl. John Wachter said.

The fact that Ragins' body has not been found had a lot to do with developing the case and the murder charge.

"Cases like this where there is foul play and no body take a long time to make sure this person's not out there alive somewhere," Wachter said.

"I never saw her body. When she left my house I never saw her again, so I never knew what happened to her. Never able to give her a proper burial. Everybody deserves that," said Ragins' mother, Clariese Ragins.

Clariese Ragins told the 11 News I-Team that she has waited patiently as police and prosecutors investigated her daughter's murder. Now, with this indictment, she believes justice will be done.

"It's a mother's worst nightmare to go day in and day out to wonder what happened to your child," Clariese Ragins said. "I'm breathing a sigh of relief, but feeling overwhelmed at the same time."

Clariese Ragins said her daughter and Elleby dated for about a year. She described him as a jealous person who tried to monopolize her daughter's time.

"He wasn't the person I would have chosen for her. We did have that discussion, and she said she was going to try to move on and get out of the relationship," Clariese Ragins said.

The victim's mother said she has always thought Elleby had some involvement in her daughter's disappearance.

"I did simply because he was the last person I knew to see her alive," Clariese Ragins said.

Police arrested Elleby last week. They continue to search for clues that they hope will lead to Cherice Ragins' body.